Page 26 of All My Witches
“But … .”
Landon didn’t get a chance to finish his statement, because Sam had finished his phone call and he looked altogether sick to hisstomach.
“What is it?” Clove asked,worried.
“I’m needed at the hospital,” Sam replied woodenly. “I’m supposed to perform emergency brainsurgery.”
“Oh, well, that explains the phone.” Thistle was clearly amused. “This world is starting to look up. I can’t wait to see thehospital.”
* * *
Iwantto be a fashion model, astronaut, writer, makeup company CEO and doctor on the weekends. That woman did it all in less than a year. At least she’s neverbored.
– Aunt Tillie picking a soapcareer
Seven
Eden wasbeyond conversation and her need to rub Landon’s shirt over her face and chest was downright disturbing. Landon finally gave up trying to reclaim his clothing – it was beyond repair anyway – and focused on our nextissue.
“I’m not doing it,” Sam announced. “I don’t care what you think, what you expect or how much you beg … it’s simply not going tohappen.”
“We still have to go to the hospital,” Landon said, folding his arms over his chest as he attempted to cover his bare skin. He was clearly uncomfortable. “You wouldn’t have gotten the call unless we were supposed to go therenext.”
“Yes, but I’m a brain surgeon on weekends,” Sam said. “That’s what that clip show thing said. They called me for brain surgery. There’s no way I’m doingthat.”
“I doubt very much you’re going to have to do it,” I supplied. “It’s a soap opera, not a medical show. They never show the nitty-gritty on a soap opera. At most they’ll show a couple close-ups of your face. There’s no way anyone is going to put a scalpel in yourhand.”
Sam wasn’t convinced. “I’m not doingit.”
Landon held up his hands to stave off an argument. “You’re not going to have to perform surgery. I can virtually guarantee that. We still need to head to thehospital.”
Sam wasn’t about to be placated. “I’m not doingsurgery.”
“And I’m sick of hearing you say that.” Landon put a hand to my elbow to direct me toward the opposite end of the dock. “Let’s getgoing.”
“How do you know that’s the rightdirection?”
“Because the only thing in that direction is Zeton and I have no intention of going backthere.”
“Fair enough.” I fell into step with him, refusing to look over my shoulder to make sure everyone else followed. I figured they were on their own if they chose to separate. The only one I was determined to stay close to was Landon. I’d never been lost in one of Aunt Tillie’s worlds without him – at least not for an extended period – and I wasn’t about to startnow.
“Do you want to tell me what you’re thinking?” Landon’s voice wassoft.
“I’m not sure what I’m thinking. It’s a lot toprocess.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to work onme.”
“Well, for starters, I think it’s funny that you’re covering your chest that way. It’s not as if anyone is staring at your nipples oranything.”
Landon made a derisive snort in the back of his throat. “I feelexposed.”
“We’re not really on television. You’reokay.”
Landon reluctantly dropped his arms, although he didn’t look thrilled with his decision. “I’m starting to think Aunt Tillie is crazy because she watches soap operas. When I first met her I thought she was confused because of old age. After knowing her a bit I assumed it was because she simply liked being crazy. Now I think it’s the soap operas making her wonky. I’m going to ban her from watching them if we ever get out ofhere.”
It was a somber moment, but I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “She’s not crazy. She only wants people to think she’s crazy. She’s smarter than almost everyone Iknow.”
“Is that sayingmuch?”
